Richfield Village Council discussed stormwater management fees that went into effect last month at the Feb. 5 Council meeting.

The new fees were instituted by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD). Richfield Village was among several communities that fought the fees in court until a settlement agreement ended the dispute.

“NEORSD is sending the bills, and these decisions are primarily being made in Cuyahoga County,” said Council President Richard Hudak. “The village was involved with four other communities in fighting this legally for a long period of time. We negotiated a lesser fee, and it could have been worse had we not done that.”

Residents with questions about these fees can call Service Director Melanie Baker at 330-659-9201, ext. 5, or they can visit richfieldvillageohio.org or www.neorsd.org/storm water.

Councilman Hank Novak said a senior citizens’ discount is available, but when you apply for it, the parcel number is in Cuyahoga County’s format, not Summit County’s format.

“Plus, it took me two months to get a copy,” he added.

According to the NEORSD website, the Regional Stormwater Management Program is designed to control stormwater runoff from hard surfaces that leads to erosion, stream flooding and water-quality issues.

Also at the meeting:

√ Council voted to transfer $20,000 from the Income Tax Fund to the Street Maintenance and Repair Fund to cover expenses incurred last year.

√ Council voted to approve the purchase of a 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe as a special services vehicle for the Fire Department from Serpentini Chevrolet. With radio equipment and emergency lights, the total cost is $41,400.

“We have the money available in the Fire Truck Fund; this will take pressure off three other fire epartment vehicles,” said Hudak.

√ Council accepted the recommendation of Mayor Bobbie Beshara to add Stephanie Thomas and Stephen Vari as new part-time Richfield police officers.

In other news:

Councilman Ralph Waszak reported the Planning and Zoning Commission granted preliminary approval to Subway for the site formerly occupied by Dairy Queen.
He also said the Public Tree and Landscape Commission has scheduled the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway for April 27.

Police Chief Keith Morgan said his department has $20 tickets for the March 23 Lake Erie Monsters hockey game. For tickets, call Officer Michael Simmons at 330-659-9500. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the D.A.R.E. Program. The team will honor local D.A.R.E. officers during one of the two intermissions.
Morgan also said tornado-siren testing will take place on Saturdays at noon beginning April 6.

Fire Chief Jason Mihalek said his department was looking to hire two new firemedics.
The fire chief also said his department is using a computer application called Streetwise, which provides turn-by-turn directions for vehicles responding to a fire, as well as the location of the nearest hydrant. It can even provide a schematic drawing of the interior of a business.
In addition, Mihalek said his department will apply for a grant from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to fund a Powercot, which would automatically load rescue victims into the squad vehicle, reducing back injuries.

Baker said the Service Department received 100 applications for the position of administrative assistant.

Planning and Zoning Director Brian Frantz said there will not be a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting in February.
He also said a New York investment company was interested in purchasing the Bencin property with the intention of cleaning it up and reselling the property.

The next Richfield Village Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 4410 W. Streetsboro Road.